Thanksgiving

Today on Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for all of you who support and encourage me in the mission in Sudan. You will be remembered in prayer today with sincere affection and heartfelt gratitude.

Different Ways of Expressing Gratitude

When we were returning from Loa and Nimule last Monday, we carried two priests with us who wanted to travel to Torit. We three priests were sitting in the front (I was driving), discussing various things as we made our way. At one point the conversation turned to the differences in the way Africans express themselves in English as compared to Americans or Europeans. For example, when Africans want to ask for something, they usually express it as an imperative without using the word "please" or phrasing the request as a question (For example: "You give me a ride."). This reflects the usage of their tribal languages and can be a little off putting to foreigners until you get used to it.

On the reverse side, if an African is hungry and you ask him or her, "Would you like something to eat?" they will regard it as an insult because since they are hungry, of course they would like something to eat. To phrase it in that way can appear as if the person asking is mocking the other.

When it comes to expressing gratitude, apparently some tribal languages either don't have words to express that directly or else they are seldom used. Instead, an African will express gratitude by speaking well of someone, responding positively to a gesture and reciprocating with kindness in the future. They may also do a symbolic gesture such as touching the earth (the source of life and sustenance) and then touching their heart to show that you have given them life in some way.

Catholic Relief Services African Peace Building Team

Yesterday Bishop Akio Johnson received a visit from the Catholic Relief Services (the international relief agency of the United States Catholic Bishops) Africa Peace Building Team. The visit was coordinated by Tom Purekal, a good friend from my days in Honduras, where he also served as a volunteer in an orphanage. Tom is the manager of the CRS Peace Building Program in South Sudan. It was good to be able to connect with the representatives of the Church in the United States who are trying to preserve and solidify peace during this time of heightened political and tribal tension.

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January Mission Preparation in Nimule

Last weekend a contingent of three youth, Martin - a mechanic, Dennis and I travelled five hours to the territory of the Madi tribe in southwest corner of the diocese, to visit the communities of Nimule and Loa, which border on Uganda and the Nile River. We went to prepare for the visit of a team coming from the US in January to conduct parish missions in each of the towns and a combined Bread of Life Eucharistic Youth Retreat for both communities on the weekend in between. One of the reasons we chose this area for the visit of the team is that both parishes sent youth to the previous Bread of Life Retreat conducted by the previous mission team in Ikotos last May. That gives us momentum to build on and a group of youth who can help form the team for the upcoming retreat. We’re hoping to continue that process by inviting youth from another parish that could be the location of a future retreat. The parish missions will follow the model we used in Torit in June, with the addition of the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass on the respective evenings of the event.

During the visit we met with the pastors, Fr. Joseph Mawa and Fr. Julius Ido, and the committee they’ve formed to coordinate the effort. We walked step by step through the activities we have planned and explained how and for what we would need the help and support of the local team. The training and orientation took place at the St. Patrick Parish Center in Nimule, where the first mission and the youth retreat will be held. Below are some photos of different groups in the parish preparing on Saturday afternoon for Mass the next day.



On Friday and Saturday evenings we had a time of Eucharistic Adoration with the youth who will be serving with us in January. It was a beautiful and moving experience. Afterwards we showed an inspirational video. On Friday we previewed The Jesus Film dubbed in Madi, which we will be showing on the first night of the mission. Imagine what it would be like to have never heard the story of Jesus in your first and most familiar language, and then to not only hear it, but see it spoken on the lips of Jesus, Mary and the Apostles. This is what the experience is like when these tribal groups watch the film for the first time. On Saturday we watched Karol: The Pope, The Man, an exceptionally faithful and stirring portrayal of the papacy of John Paul II.

Watching the Jesus Film in Madi

Viewing Karol set me up spiritually to celebrate the English Mass on Sunday. The church was packed to overflowing, the Kizito dancers were stepping and swaying, the people were clapping and the choir was outstanding. At the introduction of the Mass I told the congregation how happy I was to be celebrating there, and that – based on the movie we saw the night before – I was sure it was a place that Pope John Paul would have liked to be.








The entire experience of the visit was extremely positive, and left us feeling that there was tremendous potential for the evangelization activities we have planned in January.

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Mary Asumpta Parish, Loa

Both on our way to Nimule and on our way back we stopped in the beautiful village of Loa, whose majestic church built by Comboni Missionaries is reportedly the largest in South Sudan, larger even than the cathedrals of any of the seven dioceses in the south.



Loa saw a lot of fighting during the civil war, particularly near the bridge that crosses the Aswa River. The community found itself caught between the warring factions within Sudan, and the assaults of the Lord's Resistance Army from nearby Uganda. Fr. Julius Ido, the pastor, returned to the parish shortly after the war ended in 2005 and repaired and reroofed the stately rectory, only to have the LRA attack in 2006 inflicting fresh damage on the structure and burning two vehicles.



The church is solemn and beautiful - almost like a monastic basilica, a place that invites reflection and prayer. The multi-hued plastic chairs add an interesting splash of color to the otherwise subdued tones of the sanctuary.





The two large pieces of statuary share the same somber ambience of the building. The head of the Infant Jesus in the arms of Mary is missing, and the Crucifix has a pathos that is somehow heightened by the stains of water entering through the broken stained glass windows.









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Hunger Relief: Phase 1

As I mentioned in an earlier post, just over a week ago funds for the hunger relief effort transferred from the US finally reached me in Sudan. It's a bit of a complicated process. We have to do a bank transfer to an account I have with the Diocese of Torit, which is maintained in their account managed by the Comboni Missionaries in Nairobi. Transferring has become easier since we received an OFAC (United States Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control) licence. Without it transfers having anything to do with Sudan easily get snagged. We were also finally able to work out the glitches in the transfer process with our bank in the US.

Once the funds get to Nairobi, I have to authorize a withdrawal with the accountant, and then the cash is brought to Sudan by the next traveller associated with the diocese. In Sudan only $100 bills issued in 2006 are accepted for exchange at the full rate. Older and smaller bills get much less.

Even when there was a functioning bank in Torit the exchange rate in the local market was always much higher. Now that the Nile Bank has unfortunately gone under (reportedly there are efforts to resurrect it), the local market or exchanges with private individuals are the only options in town. The good news on that front, though, is that the Kenya Commercial Bank is moving ahead rapidly with construction of a branch in Torit. In any case, to change money you have to first ask around to ascertain the best going rate. Last week I changed with Kenyan, Ugandan, Sudanese and mostly Somali merchants to be able to go ahead with the purchase of the grain. It's a fascinating experience that kind of makes you feel like you're in a movie. Sudanese currency is printed in Arabic (which I do not read) on one side, and in English on the other, so it can take a while to sort and count out bills.



From there Dennis and I drove to Magwi, about two hours away on rough roads, to meet with Fr. Joseph Otto, the pastor there. We purchased a hundred and fifty 150 kg grain bags there and then headed on to Palotaka, another hour further away on even worse roads. At one point the road seems to morph into what looks like a dry rocky river bed careening downhill. Palotaka is the bread basked of the region. At one point a few decades ago, the diocese's St. Joseph Farm there provided food supplies to most of its parishes and institutions. It ceased to function totally during the war, and is only slowly returning to production. In the mean time local farmers cooperate with the diocese's food security program to fill the gap. We worked out an arrangement with Lino, the Palotaka food security coordinator, and an announcement was made at last Sunday at Mass informing local farmers of the need for grain. By midweek our goal of 15,000 tons should be met. This is the first of three installments. Below is a photo of the food security storehouse (a large room in the nearly destroyed former Palotaka rectory) and the grain it currently holds.


As soon as the diocese's cargo trucks return hauling construction supplies from Uganda, again hopefully by midweek, we'll pick up the grain and begin carrying it to localities suffering from hunger. I've been in touch with Church personnel in both of the parishes in which we plan to distribute provisions. It would be wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving weekend.

I think this gives you an idea of how complicated the logistics are for an effort like this in the conditions of South Sudan. I'll be logging a lot of miles over the next few weeks trying to keep all the components connected and the endeavor in forward motion, for which I ask your prayers. While it's far from easy, I can't imagine a better way to enter into Advent and prepare for the birth of our Savior who was born among and for the poor.

Below are a few photos I took in Palotaka. The last two are the diocese's local health office, which is so small and inadequate that people on IVs have to sit on the porch of the ruins of the former rectory.

A Grace-Filled Priests' Retreat - Thank You for Your Prayers

Last week's priest retreat went very well, praise God. I found the clergy of Torit to be very receptive to what I shared, and the response was positive. The overall theme was "Friendship with Christ," using the Beloved Disciple in the Gospel of John as a model. That theme was developed in three "contexts:" the Year for Priests, the recent special Synod of Bishops for Africa, and the current situation in Sudan (which I compared to that of the Israelites returning to the Holy Land after the Babylonian Exile). In addition to the conferences, each morning we gathered for Mass, and each evening spent time in Eucharistic adoration. For me it was a real experience of what the Compendium of the Catechism of Catholic Church calls the "sacramental brotherhood" of the priesthood. These are men who have pursued their vocation at a high personal cost, have suffered a great deal - especially during the war - for the cause of Christ and the Church, and exercize their ministry in very challenging circumstances, often with insufficient resources.

Below are some photos from the retreat: Bishop Akio Johnson celebrating Mass, and the rest of us concelebrating, and a group photo on the last day (I'm pretty easy to pick out of the crowd):




Below are three sets of photos showing the two most senior priests of the diocese on top: Fr. John Baptist Lohito of Imatong Parish and Fr. Julius Ido of Loa; two priests from the "middle" age bracket of the clergy: Fr. Joseph Mawa of Nimule Parish, and Fr. Joseph Otto of Palotaka/Magwi Parish; and the two youngest priests: Fr. Darius Modi, pastoral coordinator, and Fr. James Taban, stationed in Isohe.






































This Past Weekend

I returned to Katire for Sunday Mass today, and it was a real joy to give Holy Communion to so many of those who were just baptized and made their First Holy Communion on November 3. The community there has really responded to and is flourishing as a result of steady pastoral attention and weekly Sunday Mass.

This evening at the House of Mercy we showed two documentary films on Sudan produced by Aid to the Church in Need depicting aspects of life in the country during the civil war. It was a providential reminder of the recent painful past and the need to take responsibility for the future as the country goes through the process of registering for general elections next April.


This Coming Week

With the conclusion of the priests' retreat I will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible with hunger relief efforts for suffering villages in the Ikotos and Chukudum areas. Funds transferred from the US for that purpose reached me last weekend, and I'll be heading to Magwi later this week to begin to purchase grain with the help of Fr. Joseph Otto (shown above). On Friday I'll be travelling with Dennis Kiyimba and a couple of youth from our group in Torit to meet with Fr. Julius Ido and Fr. Joseph Mawa (also shown above) and representatives from their communities in Loa and Nimule to plan for the visit of a mission team in January and the parish missions and youth retreat that will take place at that time

Lay Missionary Profile: Dennis Kiyimba

I have often referred to Ugandan lay missionary Dennis Kiyimba in postings on this blog, and thought it would be nice to formally introduce him to you by sharing with you the following profile we put together recently. Dennis has been an incredible blessing and an invaluable source of help and support to me.

Dennis Kiyimba is 29 years old and a native of Uganda. He was born in Jinja and raised in capital city of Kampala, along with his younger sister Diana, by his mother, Margaret. He did odd jobs growing up to help support the family. After primary and secondary school, he received a diploma in electronics, and worked in that field for 18 months.

After moving out to live on his own, Dennis’ life took a turn for the worse. He became involved with gangs and wasted his earnings carousing. His mother tried to dissuade him from this empty lifestyle and prayed constantly for Dennis. He was finally dismissed from his job due to poor performance related to the dissipated life he was living. He got another job at an import business, but felt dissatisfied. At this point he began to think seriously about his life. He spoke with his mother about the need he felt for “something” that would give him purpose and direction.

In April 2004 Margaret sent her son to the Emmaus Center for Catholic Discipleship and Evangelization for a seven-day Life in the Spirit seminar/retreat . It was on that occasion that Dennis encountered the Lord Jesus and experienced the powerful presence and action of the Holy Spirit. His spiritual director, Br. Francis Dewez, a Missionary of Africa from Ireland, supported Dennis in his desire to serve God and encouraged him to surrender everything to the Lord and wholeheartedly seek His will. In 2005 Dennis entered the lay community at Emmaus for discipleship training. In 2006 he was commissioned as a lay missionary and served in St. Matthias Mulumba (one of the Ugandan martyrs) Parish in old Kampala for six months. At that point, through Emmaus, he made contact with Katie Gesto, a consecrated American laywoman serving in South Sudan. On August 1, 2007, Dennis joined Stephen Nsubuga as a lay missionary in Torit.

Dennis desires to help other Catholics, especially youth, experience the love of God and renewed hope in the wake of the devastation of the civil war, to help them know that there is life and a future even after terrible suffering. He wants to help the Sudanese become missionaries to their own people. He does this by sharing his life and personal experience, and using the Word of God and the teachings of the Church. He encourages others to live a sacramental life, to pray and participate in Mass and other spiritual activities. He has helped form small Christian communities in outlying villages who pray together and reach out to Catholics who have not received the Sacraments and are not participating in the life of the Church.

When Fr. Herald Brock, CFR – a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal based out of New York, came to Torit in September 2008 on a special missionary assignment, he found Dennis already at work in the diocese. They began to collaborate on efforts of evangelization, especially ones geared for youth. Together they formed a core group of youth who assist with Bread of Life (YOUTH 2OOO type) Eucharistic Youth Retreats and other kinds of missionary outreach, and gather regularly for prayer and formation. They have coordinated trips for visiting mission teams and arranged for youth from Sudan to participate in spiritual activities outside the country. They are working together to establish the House of Mercy in Torit Town as a center for evangelization, formation and outreach to the materially poor.

Aid to the Church in Need Film Crew

An all-Polish film crew from the Catholic organization, Aid to the Church in Need, arrived in Torit last Thursday as part of a more extensive visit to different sites in South Sudan, as well as Khartoum. The team will be producing documentaries on a number of different themes to highlight the life, struggles and needs of the Church in Sudan. In Torit the focus will be on the life of Fr. Saturnino Ohure, the civic and church hero of the Anya Nya One resistance to political and spiritual oppression of southerners by the north in the 1950s and 60s. He was killed in Uganda in 1967. The crew will also be capturing different aspects of the life of the Church in the Diocese of Torit.

I've had the privilege of helping to coordinate the visit of Agniezska, Marcin, Caspar, Bartek and Wojtek, and even to collaborate a bit with the filming. We are eagerly looking forward to viewing the final product of their efforts here in the region.